Yesterday, after preschool, I told Victoria she could come to Bible Study with me this morning.  She has a little friend, in her preschool class, who plays in the kids class so I knew she'd love to come.  This morning, as I was sorting laundry, she came running into me, just up from bed, with tears streaming down her face.  I asked her what was wrong, as she clung to me, and she says, "dad said I couldn't go to Bible Study with you today; I told him you said I could and he said, we'll see, and that always means no!"  I snuggled her and said that we would talk to daddy and let him know our change of plans.  We had originally thought she would stay home on Tuesdays since she's gone three other days a week for preschool.  How can you say "no" to these big blue eyes?

a Jacqueline-ism

Tonight Jacqueline was telling Brett that the doctors office has a new thermometer tester.  She begins to tell him how it works, "they put it around your arm and it squeezes your arm really tight until they can tell your temperature.!  Oh my gosh, HILARIOUS! Brett tried to explain to her that it was for your blood pressure but she is pretty adamant that the doctors have a new way of taking your temperature.

hard to wrap my brain around this. . . .

This morning, as I was waiting, at preschool with Victoria, a young dad was waiting with his son and we were visiting when he says, "hey you go to Westside don't you?" he then says he goes there from time to time and that he graduated high school with my son, David. My daughter is going to preschool with my son's friend's son!  Did you get that? am I making sense because. . . .it's really pretty crazy to me!

a few captured moments. . .

Since returning to college three years ago I've worked really hard at keeping study to a minimum.  I always told myself that if it ever overlapped into family time then I'd have to pause until, at least, Victoria begins school.  Last year I took on 12 credits a semester, without problem and held onto my 3.74 GPA.  It was a no-brainer, or so I thought, to do the same this year; this semester.  I'm into the end of my third week and I'm on study "overload".  I finally sat down today, after I realized I missed a deadline yesterday, and made myself a schedule for every day and the assignments that are due each day.  CRAZY! but oh so necessary.  I have come to realize that when a professor says to expect 9+ hours of study each week that they really mean it.  My intention was to drop one class that has overloaded my day, however I realized I missed the deadline by one day!  I'm rarely scatterbrained, so this is really pushing my buttons.  I had thought with Victoria being in preschool 3 times a week that I would be able to get all of my studying out of the way, but such is not the case, it overflows into the other two days, evenings, afternoons.  I am praying that God gives me the wisdom and strength to get these classes organized and that I am using every ounce of my spare time wisely.

My friend, Kim, shared this verse with me and I'm clinging to His promises:
"I lift my eyes to the hills, where my help comes from" Psalm 121:1

skyping. . .

After church yesterday we had a great afternoon of skyping with Brad, Amanda and the boys.  Victoria sat on my lap almost the entire time talking, smiling and giggling.  I'm so thankful for the technology we have today that connects us.  Our military kids live in Georgia; and our times together are short and limited.

Victoria and Walker both received guitars this past Christmas.  The same guitar; his is CARS and hers is Princesses!  She asked Walker to get his so they could play them together via skyp! I couldn't pass up an opportunity to capture the moment......so ADORABLE!

 FYI:  Victoria (4) is aunt to Walker (5)!

what a gift. . . .

I just love how God gives us gifts, even simple little gifts that sometimes does not matter to anyone but the receiver.  Yesterday morning as I was dropping the kids off at a youth activity, we spied a deer in someones yard.  We, our family, always enjoy these sightings and Victoria, the animal lover that she is, thoroughly loves to see them.  She then began to ask me questions about deer; how do they get into people's yards, can we have some in our yard, can we feed them, you get the picture.  When we got home she asked Den what they like to eat, just making sure that carrots were a staple for them (since that's all the vegies we had in the frig).  Her dad said they do like carrots and our plan was to place some in the outer part of our yard near the field later that evening.  We got side-tracked by having a bonfire, however, yet God in only the way God can, blessed Victoria this morning with, not one but four deer in our yard.  She was so excited and thrilled to see them in "our" yard.  She says, "God gave us deer of our own!"

Thank you, Father, for giving a gift to a little four year old and to the rest of us! They are such peaceful animals to watch and we really enjoyed them this morning.

a God-given talent

My husband is a phenomenal writer and he amazes me with his gift.  He has written so many stories (one in particular about a certain manboy) and is able to weave a tale without notice.  Our kids, over the years, have loved hearing his tales, his stories as well as learning truths, morals and Biblical knowledge.  I say all this to encourage you to take a few moments and read a few of his articles on his blogs.  He works hard to articulate a message that is relevant and meaningful.  Yes, I am biased and very proud of the man God made!

Journey Ministries
Journey Outfitters

week 1. . . .completed, successful!

We all had a great first week of school.  The kids and I started the same day so it was pretty crazy.  Den was even able to get a sub job the very first day of school so he took Jacqueline and Brennan, and I took Colson.  Colson wanted to bring his teacher a little something so we swung by Krogers before we went to school.  He found a beautiful bouquet of flowers and a small box of chocolates.  It was hard, to say the least, letting him go into his room and leaving him there.  After a tearful goodbye, from me, not him, Victoria and I quickly made our way to our car!  Thankfully the first morning was only a half day for him and we were back picking him up.    Jacqueline and Brennan have had a great first week as well.  Jacqueline is running cross country and I had the pleasure of taking her for her sports physical! Crazy! to take a girl instead of manboys!  Brennan is at the skill center for part of his day doing building and thoroughly enjoying it.  It is with much fear and trepidation that we have allowed him to try this; moving him from the security and comfortableness of his classes at the high school.

My classes are packed full and I'm hoping I can accomplish all that is expected, of me, during the mornings Victoria is at preschool.  It's always intimidating and overwhelming starting a new semester, with new profs; trying to figure out what they want, maneuvering  my way through the blackboard tabs.  I am looking into a new program that may accelerate my education and bump me into a whole new category.  I should find out in the next few days if this dream will become a reality! Praise the Lord for amazing friends who are willing to step-in and give guidance and help! What a gift!

vacation.. . .in a nutshell

Since we came home from vacation two days before school started I haven't had a chance to collect my thoughts.  We had a great time at our kids in North Dakota.  The weather was perfect and the kids were great.  We enjoyed some belated 4th of July fireworks along the river at friends.  Dan did a great job of entertaining us as we smacked and swatted mosquitos.

We spent the last two days at the Mall of America with Dan and Liz.  We had amazing accomodations at the Residence Inn just a few miles from the MOA.  I'm so glad we were able to experience that massive mall! The kids were able to enjoy the rollercoaster rides (Jacqueline and Colson's first).  It was absolutely hilarious to watch them ride.  We probably should not have put them on the largest rollercoaster to start with; after the ride Colson no longer wanted to do it!  Jacqueline and Brennan were hooked.  Tori even got a chance to ride a few herself and LOVED the log ride that splashes into the water.  We had a great time and as the day drew to a close we decided to drive straight through to home, leaving Minneapolis around 8ish and arriving home at 6:30 am Sunday morning.  Den went straight to bed, the kids settled on the sofa, plugging into a movie and Brennan helped me unload the car.  It wasn't long,  everything was put away, laundry was humming, the car was washed and vacuumed and I ran a few last minute errands to purchase school supplies.  Vacations always seems to go way too fast! we were thankful to have Labor Day as a day of rest and relaxation.

Oh, one final note. . . .corn on the cob from North Dakota is the BEST we've ever eaten, just sayin'...........

I can't believe it's that time of year. . . .

WOW! the end of summer is over! already? seems like I was just posting about school being out for summer and now, here we are, starting our first day of school for the new year.  I know this time of year is exciting for most kids but mine. . . .they do enjoy being home and I do enjoy having them home.  Oh sure the first few weeks are complicated; realizing I'm "not" their activities director.  Its not long and we settle into a new pattern of living, without schedules.

We had a great day yesterday.  We took the kids out for an end of the summer lunch and then we came home and just hung out.  Bedtime was not the summer norm, and was met with nerves, especially for Colson.  He will be returning to school, the 4th grade, and his nervous jitters got the best of him because he lost all of his meals yesterday in the commode!  I have to say I wasn't surprised.  It's the first night he's had to sleep alone in his room all summer.  He has had terrible nightmares for most of the summer nights; thus sleeping, alone, in his room and thinking of starting school got the best of him.  Hopefully he won't feel the affects this morning.  Jacqueline is excited, she's had her clothes set out since we got back from North Dakota on Sunday! love that girl! Brennan is excited but apprehensive, and I know the long days of sitting will take its toll on each of the kids by weeks end!

As I bid summer a due, it is with my own mixed emotions.  My manboys have returned to college, my semester starts tomorrow, Victoria will begin preschool next week, and the house will be eerily quiet! I just don't like it. . . .one single bit!